Silly Suzy Goose

by Petr Horáček

Simple, boldly colored, and energetic, Petr Horacek's illustrations follow the story of a silly goose in search of a brand-new style - at least some of the time.

Silly Suzy Goose is just like all the other geese. But how she wishes she could hang upside-down like a bat or stretch up high like a giraffe! And wouldn't it be wonderful to jump, jump, JUMP like a kangaroo? Suzy Goose wanders farther and farther from her flock, visiting with animals that are very different from her. But when Suzy meets up with a cranky lion, she learns there may just be some advantages to blending in with the crowd!

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Storytime, Childrens, Birds

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Petr Horáček is the author-illustrator of Look Out, Suzy Goose and Silly Suzy Goose, as well as Run, Mouse, Run!; Bird, Fly High; A New House for Mouse; and Strawberries Are Red. He lives in England.

Reviews

[Prabhjot Kaur · Rating 1 out of 5]

Suzy goose looked around and thought that she looks just like all the other geese and she wishes to be different either like a bat or a toucan or a penguin or a giraffe, you get the idea but in the end she realizes that may be it isn't so bad to be just like everyone else or whatever she realized at the end.

Perhaps it is better to be just like everyone else, thought Suzy Goose...
but not all the time.

I thought this was going to be great but the message (I use the word loosely) is appalling. The above mentioned line is an actual line from the book and it is the last line. I can't believe this is a children's book. I didn't mind the art and for that I am giving this one star.

1 star

[Karina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A crazy goose that doesn't see the point in being a goose at all. She wanted to be different until he runs into a little problem with the lion...

Silly, funny goose is what was she was meant to be after all. The artwork is okay. Meaning was the best part of the story.

[معصومه توکلی · Rating 4 out of 5]

عنوان ترجمه فارسی: غازی که نمی خواست غاز باشد

[Fahim · Rating 3 out of 5]

از خود بطلب هر آنچه خواهی، که تویی...

[Rossy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so fun, I actually laughed out loud twice.
I'm not going to say anything about comformity and that it is the book's message to kids, because I don't think that's the theme here. I WILL say I think it'd be great to mimic each animal Suzy wants to be like, and the sounds Suzy makes! It'd be so much fun for little kids! :)

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Perhaps it is better to be just like everyone else, thought Suzy Goose..."

It's hard to believe a children's book actually includes this line. I can tell what the author probably means. I think he wants us to understand that Suzy is born to be a goose and should therefore embrace it instead of trying to be something else. He might also be hinting at the happiness of finding community and commonality. But the wording of this sentence is unfortunate and sends a mixed message at best. I'm surprised there aren't more 1-star and 2-star reviews of this one.

[Jamil · Rating 2 out of 5]

i am starting to get disturbed by all these picture books that seem to encourage conformity &/or assimilation. That said, those are sure some well drawn geese!

[Angie Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute animal story for kids. Suzy Goose wants to be different but finds out that it's nice to blend in--some of the time! ;)

3.5 stars

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nog een minibieb boekje, ah heerlijk om weer wat prentenboeken te lezen! In dit hilarische en leuke boek lezen we over een gans die eigenlijk het zat is om maar hetzelfde te zijn als alle andere ganzen. Dus zien we haar met andere dieren en verteld ze ons wat zij allemaal kunnen en dat zij dat ook wil (en ook gewoon doet, haha). Het einde daar moest ik toch even heerlijk om lachen, oh jij domme gans dat had je niet moeten doen. Haha. Leuke tekeningen en dus ook een geweldig verhaal. Leuk!

[Lenka Letadlo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skvělý příběh!

[Hayley Noble · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not really like Silly Suzy Goose, the only reason I have given 2 stars is because my daughter finds it slightly amusing. Its become one of those books, that she is semi interested in and takes a little bit of notice but I know I loose all her focus and attention, and carry on reading. (more for myself as I don't like to not finish a book - even a child's)

I'm sorry but Suzy goose needs a slap, I always ssay to my little one " ahh, here is Suzy roaring a a lion as she needs all the attention in the world", whilst my little one nods away! That is what Suzy is though, just a huge attention seeking goose, and when it all hits the fan she goes running back and hides in between her friends, hoping that will take the hit for her. I wish I could slap Suzy.
I wouldn't buy it new, I'm glad it only cost me 20p at a charity shop, and in hindsight I sort of wish I hadn't paid that, because on the rare occasions it makes an appearance my heart sinks!

[Camille Ryckman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief summary Silly Suzy Goose is about a silly goose who wishes she could be all kinds of other animals just so she didn't have to be the same as all the other geese. That is, until she is frightened by a lion and then she want to get back to being a goose.
Annotation - This story explores the need for children to express themselves in different ways. The traits she admires in other animals she already has, so it is a good point to talk to students about the need to enjoy who you are.
Age appropriateness 3-7 year olds
Connection to six early literacy skills This book is good for print awareness because it highlights action words with large print letters that are simple for children to recognize.
Five practices This book is good for reading. It holds children's attention well.
Opinion - I think this book is pretty good. It has a lot of subtle building up of appreciating who you are and letting children embrace being a little different too.

[Ashlee Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book about how being yourself is good but it is good to be different sometimes. The illustrations in this book are colorful and will catch your eye. The kids will enjoy all the sound effects and will stay engaged.

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed views about this story. As a story, I found it quite funny and can definitely see KS1 children enjoying it. There are plenty of opportunities for drama activities such as role play - acting out Suzy's actions. The illustrations are very amusing, and would be great to discuss, helping the reader to imagine the story. The presentation of the pages would be interesting to discuss too, as the reader has to turn the book around, read diagonally, read larger and smaller font etc. Children could discuss what effect this has on them as a reader, and produce something similarly presented.

However, I do not like the final message which is 'perhaps it is better to be just like everyone else'. This is not the type of message I want to display for the children in my class. I want them to celebrate their differences and those of other people, and know that it is important that we are all different. Maybe this book could be used in PSHE as a starting point for exploratory talk around this topic, but I still don't think I would use it.

[Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrations: 5/5 bright illustrations that take up the page. Love how the giraffe spread has horizontal orientation to make it longer.
Rhymes: n/a
Plot: Suzy goose wants to be different from other geese. So she tries to be other animals. But then upsets a lion with her fake roar. She escapes by doing what the other animals did (slide, swim, stretch etc)
Fun to read: 4/5 nice twist that Suzy can do everything the other animals can do.

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the other Suzy Goose book I read much better. This one is just okay. But maybe I'm just tired and feeling real this morning. I wish Suzy could just be the best goose she can be instead of trying to act like and be like all the other animals. I only review it here because I put it on my "to read" list.

[Dana Gunderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I just found my new favorite storytime read! I absolutely adore this picture book! The simple, but large text and bright illustrations are sure to catch and keep little ones' attention during a read aloud. Silly Suzy Goose is such a sweet, yet silly read that shines light on the natural desire to be unique, while learning to embrace being a part of a group.

[Eva_Amaré · Rating 4 out of 5]

We had the most fun ever sliding on the floor like penguins, jumping all over the house like a kangaroo and making all kinds of ridiculous sounds. We would give this 5 stars, but mama was grumbling about it encouraging conformity or something along those lines.

[Veronika Pizano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horáček to jednoducho vie a rovnakú pointu vie nádherne zobraziť na veľké množstvo spôsobov. V tomto prípade je to húska Líza, ktorá nechce byť ako iné húsky a chcela by veci robiť ako iné zvieratká, až kým nezistí, že občas byť rovnaká nie je úplne odveci.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Pete Horacek’s bright and bold illustrations for picture books. Here we find Suzy wanting to be something other than a goose. I especially liked the illustration of Susy tucked away in by kangaroo’s pouch because she wants to jump and jump.
Great read aloud with an action filled ending.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little really enjoys this and it is quite fun, but I don't really understand where the lion suddenly comes from. Are all the animals there? If so, where on earth is it set?!

[Tim Hackenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and very silly

[Madisonlayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was super cute!

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suzy is a goose who really strives to be different until she makes another animal mad, and then she's very happy to blend in. I thought it was hilarious.

[Jane Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great drawings and introduction to all the different animals make this one perfect for younger ones. Funny as usual

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A goose wants to be like other animals not like everyone around her. Is there an advantage one way or another. Preschool and u

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute, and funny story about accepting yourself, while still being okay with being you.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hahahaha taky super, parádní přehlídka zvířátek a huse Líze se v podstatě splní její přání a ještě se poučí…

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A goose envies the abilities of other animals, but learns that sometimes being a goose has its advantages.